Plume House, Inside

As I promised yesterday, I present today some fotos of the interior of one of the oldest buildings in Newark still standing, Plume House. It serves as the rectory of the Episcopal House of Prayer. I took the pix below during the May 11th, 2008 bus tour of different types of dwellings over the course of Newark's 3½ centuries, sponsored by the Newark Preservation & Landmarks Committee and conducted by the grande dame of Newark historical guides, Liz Del Tufo. In this first picture, the Committee's Executive Director, Douglas Eldridge, and Liz welcome participants in thru the back entrance of Plume House. The brick extension is not part of the original stone structure.

In this next foto, Eldridge tells visitors something of the history of the building, and speaks to some of the framed items on view.

This very large round arch between the living and dining rooms was, Eldridge said, not an original feature of the building, but was created to open up the interior. Unfortunately, it weakened the structure a bit, as produced some stress cracks in the walls and ceilings. But it did not cause the ceilings to collapse.

Another feature of the building is plank flooring rather than the narrow boards of today's hardwood floors.

After his presentation, Mr. Eldridge asked if there were any questions, and I pointed out that he hadn't discussed the invention of celluloid film in that house. This certificate, on the wall opposite where he stood, speaks to that distinction (and is signed, on the left, by the preeminent Newark historian, the late Charles F. Cummings).

Eldridge then held up a foto of the inventor of nitrocellulose film, Hannibal Goodwin, who was pastor of the adjoining House of Prayer at the time.

Among the historically most valuable items in the house is this Bible, signed by Millard Fillmore (13th President of the United States).

Alongside that Bible is a "Knowing Newark" article by Charles Cummings from the November 3, 2005 Star-Ledger. It shows pix of three of Newark's finest historic buildings, Ballantine House (now part of the Newark Museum), Sydenham House (oldest in the city), and Plume House (2d oldest).

In the last foto today, Douglas Eldridge discusses objects on the livingroom mantle.

Plume House is a very sturdy, stone farmhouse that is presently rather spare as to furnishings. Was it always? Sumptuous furnishings would certainly fit perfectly well into this elegant historic building, but perhaps it was always, as home first to farmers and then parsons, decorated in understated fashion.